A controversial plan to build 35 homes in Harrogate’s Crimple Valley has been refused.

The application by Square Feet Ltd and Antela Developments Ltd would have seen homes built at Almsford Bank Stables on Leeds Road.

It included plans for 14 affordable homes, seven first homes and 14 self or custom build plots.

The proposal was objected to by residents, who described it as “ludicrous” and unsafe.

A total of 247 letters of objection were submitted to Harrogate Borough Council against the scheme.

The council rejected the development on the grounds that the site was not allocated for housing under the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place, and “would result in harm to the character and appearance of its surroundings”.

It said in its reasons for refusal:

“The proposed development would result in harm to the character and appearance of its surroundings, including the Crimple Valley Special Landscape Area, through the loss of open fields and woodland and the introduction of unacceptable and incongruous (sub)urban development into an area of high landscape value, important to the setting of Harrogate and the grade II* listed Crimple Valley viaduct.”

Read more:

• New plans submitted for 35 homes in Harrogate’s Crimple Valley
• Dozens of objections to ‘ludicrous’ Crimple Valley housing plan

The application was the third for the site since 2018, when plans for 65 homes were put forward but withdrawn. 

The following year, a reduced proposal of 35 homes was submitted, but again withdrawn in the face of extensive objections.

Campaign group Save Crimple Valley urged the public to submit objections to the new proposal.

Among them was Judith Hooper, who told the council that the site was unsafe for such a housing scheme.

She said:

“In the time we have been resident in Harrogate there have been numerous car accidents on Almsford bank, the most recent very serious one being only a few weeks ago.

“Cars accelerate down the bank on reaching the 50mph sign and already have to contend with traffic coming out of Crimple Hall.

“Putting access at the bottom of such a busy section of road, on a bend, seems to invite accidents. At night there are many cars clearly speeding on this stretch. At busy periods traffic is queuing both up and down the hill.”

A Harrogate business organisation has said a new business rates valuation will see the majority of local firms pay less.

Following a government review, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt decided to progress with new valuations of properties as part of his autumn statement.

An online service is available to show firms whether their rates will increase from April 1, 2023.

Sara Ferguson, chair of the Harrogate Business Improvement District, said she welcomed the review by government.

She added that while some businesses will see their rateable value rise, they will still receive support from government.

Ms Ferguson said:

“For a number of years, Harrogate BID has been asking the government to review business rates, and I’m really pleased this has now happened.

“Looking at the website, it appears that the majority of the business have seen their business rates reduced, which will be a relief to many, particularly with the rise in fuel, raw materials and energy costs.

“And for those that have seen their rate rise, those at the lower end of the scale will still benefit from rate relief, with plenty of small business not paying anything at all.”

Read more:

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• Betfred to open bookmakers in Harrogate

Last week, Mr Hunt announced £13.6 billion worth of business rates relief targeted at businesses that may see their rates increase.

Mr Hunt said the move would help to “soften the blow” for businesses with new valuations.

Business owners can check their valuations on the government website here.

North Yorkshire County Council has been awarded £2 million to tackle bed blocking in hospitals.

The Department of Health and Social Care announced a £500 million fund to help speed up the discharge of patients across the country.

The county council, which is responsible for adult care, has been granted a total of £2,019,667 of this to increase its social care workforce and increase capacity to take on more patients from hospital.

Two months ago  Jonathan Coulter, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said the problem of patients staying in hospital longer than they should because of a lack of private care services was the “biggest issue” the trust faced.

The government said local authorities and health trusts will be free to spend the money on initiatives which have the “greatest impact in their area on reducing discharges into social care”.

Helen Whately, Minister of State for Care, said:

“People should be cared for in the best place for them, but discharge delays mean patients are spending too long in hospital.

“Our discharge fund will get more people cared for in the right place at the right time. We’re asking hospitals and the social care system to work together to help patients and carers too, who often take on a lot of the burden of caring when someone leaves hospital.

“The discharge fund will boost the social care workforce and in turn reduce pressures on the NHS and hospital staff, as it frees up beds and helps improve ambulance handover delays.”

Read more:

• Harrogate hospital trust plans home care service to tackle bed blocking
• Hospital ‘not anticipating’ service cuts due to energy price surge
• Harrogate hospital staff selling days off to cope with cost of living crisis

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has already sought to introduce a home care service to free up beds.

A spokesperson for the trust said previously:

“Currently, bed occupancy at our hospitals is around 90%. Due to the increased number of planned operations that are being performed we have more patients occupying beds following their surgery.

“However, bed occupancy is also impacted by patients who no longer require hospital care, but are unable to be discharged as they do not have a suitable location where they can continue their recovery, such as a residential care home, or appropriate home care to support them in their own homes.”

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

The future of the farming sector will be under the spotlight at a meeting in Harrogate next week.

Held at the Pavilions of Harrogate, the Future Farmers of Yorkshire’s autumn debate will see industry leaders discuss how the sector can cope with current levels of inflation.

Among the speakers will be Mark Berrisford-Smith, head of economics at HSBC UK’s commercial banking business.

Mr Berrisford-Smith said current inflation levels were having an impact on the agricultural sector.

He said:

“The war in Ukraine has unleashed twin inflationary shocks in the form of higher food and energy prices. For farmers in the UK, annual input price inflation is now running at 30%, while output price inflation stands at 21%. 

“Although many businesses have been able to absorb higher costs thanks to better prices, this is not universally the case. Prices for some cereal products are up by more than 50% compared with a year earlier, while poultry and lamb prices have hardly increased at all.” 

The meeting will also hear from Great Yorkshire Show director Charles Mills, Farmers Weekly young farmer of the year Matthew Nichols and Andrew Hardcastle, director of Hardcastle Rural Surveyors. 

Future Farmers of Yorkshire management board member Isobel Eames will chair the panel.

The event will be held on Thursday, December 1. Those interested in attending can register at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society website here.

Yorkshire business urged to sign climate pledge

Business across Yorkshire are being urged to sign a pledge to tackle climate change.

Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, an independent body set up to support and guide the region’s organisations, launched its Climate Action Pledge this past week.

It is the first regional pledge of its kind in the UK to require businesses and organisations to make a commitment across four areas of action: becoming climate resilient; reducing carbon emissions; enhancing nature and biodiversity; and promoting a just transition.

Liz Barber, chair of Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, said:

“With COP27 in Egypt putting a global focus on climate action, it’s the perfect time for us to seize the initiative as a region and show how businesses and organisations can demonstrate strong leadership at all levels here in Yorkshire and Humber.

“We are launching a ‘sprint’ of climate action today, and we want to see a year of progress that puts us on the road to net zero, improves our fantastic natural assets, helps us build our resilience to climate impacts, and does this in a way that leaves no-one or nowhere behind.”

Businesses and organisations of all kinds in Yorkshire and Humber are encouraged to sign the pledge here.

Read More:

• Business Breakfast: NYnet to create district’s biggest full fibre business park
• Uncertainty over Harrogate district investment zones after government ‘refocuses’ scheme

Motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Some planned roadworks remain in place across the district, which may cause delays for drivers during rush hour this morning.

North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map shows planned temporary lights are due to be put in place on both Hookstone Drive and Leeds Road near Crimple food hall at Pannal.

Both sets of work are being carried out by the county council and are due to remain in place until November 23.

Drivers should be also aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

However, commuters should be aware of planned industrial action on the railways this Saturday (November 26) as the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLF) plan to walkout.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 36 service this morning. You can get updates here.

However, the bus company has announced that the 21 at Goldsborough will be diverted from today due to electrical works on Station Road in the village until December 16.

The service will miss stops towards Knaresborough at Princess Mead, War Memorial and Greystone Farm.

It will also miss stops towards Boroughbridge at Princess Mead, Midgely Land and Nr Roundabout.

Read More:

• ‘Use it or lose it’ warning as bus passenger numbers fall across Harrogate district
• YorBus: On-demand service’s running costs are twice as much as regular buses

A Harrogate man has been jailed after spitting on a pensioner’s head at Leeds train station.

Aaron Peter Wilson, 43, of Hookstone Road, was found guilty of assault and jailed for four weeks.

York Magistrates Court heard how, on Sunday, September 25, Wilson started shouting aggressively at the 66-year-old victim and his wife as they walked past him.

Wilson continued to shout at the couple after they ignored him.

The victim turned around and told Wilson to go away. After this then spat at the victim’s head.

Read More:

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• Thieves smash their way into Harrogate shop

A security guard at the station contacted British Transport Police. When they attended Wilson became increasingly aggressive towards them and was arrested.

Investigating officer PC Anthony Sutcliffe said: 

“This was a disgusting and unprovoked attack on a gentleman and his wife who were just minding their own business making their way across the station.

“We will never tolerate behaviour like this and Wilson must now realise the implications of his outburst.

“If you witness or are victim of abuse or assault on the railway you can text us discreetly on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40.

“In an emergency always call 999.”

Wilson was also ordered to pay £75 compensation.

A Betfred bookmakers looks set to open in Harrogate town centre after plans were approved.

Done Brothers (Cash Betting) Ltd, which trades as Betfred, applied to Harrogate Borough Council to open the bookies on Cambridge Road.

The proposal will see the former YMCA charity shop, which sits next to Greggs, converted into a bookmakers. The unit was also previously occupied by a travel agents.

Harrogate Borough Council has now approved the proposal.

The developer said in its plans that the opening of Betfred would help bring the unit back into use and “provide additional staff employment”.

It said:

“Betfred do not currently operate a bookmakers in central Harrogate, Betfred require additional premises to meet demand from the local residents. 

“The proposal therefore seeks a new opening of Betfred’s existing bookmaker businesses within Harrogate and would result in new options for bookmakers’ business within the town centre.”

The developer added:

“The introduction of Betfred’s businesses within the town centre will grow a local business, providing additional staff employment and bring a vacant unit back into use within Harrogate which supports economic growth principles in national and local planning policy.”

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• Sneak Peek: Starling shows off new spacious bar after major renovation
• Fountains Abbey plans solar panels in effort to reduce fossil fuel reliance

Fountains Abbey has submitted plans to introduce solar panels at its attraction in an effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The National Trust, which owns the site near Ripon, has lodged the plan with Harrogate Borough Council.

It would see the 34kW panels installed on the roof of its visitor centre to generate electricity.

In documents submitted to the council, the trust said the plan was part of its commitment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels at a time of high energy prices.

It said:

“This proposal will reduce the reliance on imported electricity and reduce fossil fuel sources, and in future will enable funds to be directed to other goals such as increased efforts in environmental protection and conservation.

“At a time when the cost of energy is extremely high the organisation is looking at creative ways to minimise the impact on the charity as well as make meaningful change for the environment.”

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• Consent granted for demolition of Ripon homes affected by subsidence
• Bid to save bus linking Ripon, Thirsk and Northallerton

The trust had initially proposed to implement 105 panels on the roof, but later reduced this to 95 to preserve the character of the building.

It is hoped the panels will contribute 28,000kWh of electricity to the site each year and help the trust reach its carbon net zero target by 2030.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

Traffic is moving as normal in the Harrogate district this morning.

However, drivers should expect planned roadworks to start on some routes in the district.

Roads

Motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map shows planned temporary lights are due to be put in place on both Hookstone Drive and Leeds Road near Crimple food hall at Pannal.

Both sets of work are being carried out by the county council and are due to remain in place until November 23.

Drivers should be also aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting no cancellations on its services this morning. You can get updates here.

However, the bus company has announced that the 21 at Goldsborough will be diverted from today due to electrical works on Station Road in the village until December 16.

The service will miss stops towards Knaresborough at Princess Mead, War Memorial and Greystone Farm.

It will also miss stop towards Boroughbridge at Princess Mead, Midgely Land and Nr Roundabout

Government changes to planned investment zones have raised questions over the future of planned renovations at Harrogate Convention Centre.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt this week announced a “refocus” of the initiative and put a halt to all expressions of interest which were submitted – including the convention centre.

It has raised questions over what the future now holds for a £49 million investment project to bring the town’s centre up to scratch.

What is planned?

Harrogate Borough Council unveiled plans back in 2020 to refurbish the town’s convention centre to the tune of £49 million.

The redevelopment plans include a major refurbishment of event areas and upgrades to the venue’s heating and ventilation systems.

There are also plans to create a flexible events space for up to 1,200 people.

Council officials have argued that the investment is needed for the centre to compete with other venues – in particular the looming prospect of a conference centre in Leeds.

Senior Harrogate council officials have gone as far as to warn that the centre could suffer huge losses of £250 million unless a major redevelopment is carried out

The proposals are currently in the final design stage with a decision expected to be taken next summer by the new North Yorkshire Council – which will take ownership of the venue in April.

However, questions still surround paying for the work.

How will it be funded?

Council bosses had previously submitted proposals to government to help fund the project as part of a £540 million devolution deal.

However, ministers turn down the plans, to the dismay of local leaders.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret following the decision that he shared the disappointment of others, such as Harrogate Borough Council leader Cllr Richard Cooper, about the lack of funding.

He said:

“We did put a request for the Harrogate Convention Centre in the asks which were submitted to government.

“Harrogate sent officers to present the case, but the message from civil servants was that it should not be included.

“I share Richard’s disappointment, but we were given a clear steer and we are supporting Harrogate in that.”

A separate bid for £20 million from the government’s levelling up fund has been made for the venue, but Harrogate is ranked as a low priority area in the fund.

Read more:

• Council explores move to protect Harrogate Convention Centre with limited company status
• Working group set up to steer future of Harrogate Convention Centre

The uncertainty over funding has also led to a working group being set up to help steer the future of the venue as it approaches a crucial time in its 40-year history.

Senior officials and councillors from Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council will come together to discuss the convention centre’s £49 million redevelopment plan and how it could be funded, as well as how the venue should be run in the future.

It has also previously been suggested that a limited company could be set up to take over the day-to-day business of the venue.

The chancellor’s announcement is the latest stumbling block to be put in front of the project.

Funding the multi-million pound project and heeding the warning that the centre needs to be competitive is proving to be a hurdle for local officials.

However, it is a hurdle that council leaders will need to clear over the next 12 months if they wish to keep the project alive.

The clock is ticking.